“Oxadiazoles” – New class of Antibiotics discovered

The scientists from the University Of Notre Dame, discovered a new class of antibiotics, “Oxadiazoles”, to fight deadly bacteria viz. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and other drug-resistant bacteria that threaten public health.

Over 1.2 million compounds screened and founded oxadiazole for drug-resistant bacteria MRSA.

The new class of antibiotic, Oxadiazole, works by inhibiting PBP2a which is a protein that binds penicillin. It also interferes with the biosynthesis of the cell wall which allows MRSA to resist the drugs.

The oxadiazoles are also effective when taken orally. At present, there are only three drugs available that are effective against MRSA, and only one of them may be taken orally. only one marketed antibiotic for MRSA that can be taken orally.

The research was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Note: MRSA is a bacterium that developed resistance to penicillin and certain other groups of antibiotics. It mostly appears as a skin infection which can produce boils, abscesses, stys, carbuncles, blisters, impetigo, and rashes. The infection becomes more problematic when it spreads to other organs. When the antibiotic resistant bacteria spread to internal organs, the results can be life-threatening.